Surrender of Trust (First Volume of the Surrender Series) (17 page)

Surprised and angry, Chalifour galloped from
Hyde Park. Damnation! He must be an idiot. He wasn't accustomed to
feeling foolish and it rankled his sensibilities.
How could he
not have known Lucy and Lucien were twins, and nearly identical to
boot?

Chalifour could rationalize that people
acquainted with Lucy and Lucien were aware they were twins so there
was no reason for the topic to come up in conversation. The
knowledge didn't salve his ego though. Chalifour pounded his fist
against his thigh in frustration. Confused by the gesture, his
horse slowed its pace. Irritably, Chalifour urged his mount
ahead.

Now he had to worry about Lucy trying to ride
in the Oaks. It was madness! Lucy was a phenomenal rider, but she
rode side-saddle, not astride like a man. Riding astride for the
first time in a race like the Oaks could get her killed. Lucy
wasn't going to race and that was final, whether she liked it or
not.

The race was two days away. Chalifour had
planned to attend, but for wagering and sheer enjoyment, not to
keep Lucy from breaking her fool neck! As much as he wanted to go
shake some sense into her pretty little head, Chalifour was unable
to leave Town immediately. He had business to focus on tomorrow.
Chalifour was finalizing the distillery deal before the man
returned to Portugal.
Damn!

Chalifour cantered to the stables located in
the alley behind his townhouse and handed his horse to the stable
boy to tend. He strode into the house in a state of agitation.

Why hadn’t Lucy been honest with him
regarding her brother’s condition? Why was Lucy so concerned with
money? Many people owed debts. What was Perdan's claim on Lucien
Goodwin? The entire situation was odd. While he certainly wasn’t
privy to the Goodwin accounts and ledgers, Chalifour was fairly
certain they had enjoyed a respectable income over the years.
Lucien didn't seem the type to have frittered his inheritance away
after his father’s death.

Mulling over the implications, unwanted
thoughts crowded into his mind and Chalifour jerked reflexively. If
Lucien had been so ill, could he have actually signed the contract?
Lucy wouldn’t have forged his signature, would she? Lucy hadn't
been familiar with any of the details, a critical detail being no
money would change hands. Lucy wouldn't have been cognizant of this
when she verbally confirmed Lucien's intention to sign the
contract.

Lucy was concerned about money. It stood to
reason she could very well have forged that document. Chalifour was
troubled by the fact Lucien didn't propose any changes to the
contract. Maybe the reason Lucien didn't propose any changes was
because Lucien wasn't the one who signed it.

Everything led back to the same question. Why
the concern over money? Even if Lucy's family owed a debt to
Perdan, distasteful as the man was, why not just pay on the debt
like most people of their station did? Chalifour shook his head.
The situation made no sense. He still needed answers and now he had
even more questions. His head was spinning. Chalifour sat, working
through the specifics and analyzing what he knew.

One thing was certain. Chalifour wasn’t going
to let the little minx hurt herself in a race. He had other plans
for her, though he hadn't quite worked them out with himself.

Now more than ever, Chalifour was determined
to get to the bottom of this enigma. Had Lucy betrayed him, or had
she betrayed her brother? He couldn't imagine either scenario. It
agonized him to no end he was even contemplating the possibility
Lucy might have done just that.

Chalifour intended to speak with Dr. Willets
at his first opportunity. Then he was then going to speak with
Lucien. Chalifour might even confer with Perdan, depending on what
he learned from Willets and Lucien.

The most pressing thing was to take Lucy out
of the race. Chalifour was going to be pressed to conclude his
business here tomorrow and get to Epsom Downs in time. With any
luck, he would find Lucy tomorrow evening. If not, he would find
her at the racecourse the following morning.

"Yes, I thought I would visit Monique in
Town," Lucy said, loathing the lies and rising bile.

Lucien’s face brightened, "What a wonderful
idea! It is Season, after all. Maybe Lady Monique can introduce you
to some young men, preferably titled and wealthy." He beamed a
smile at her.

Lucy swallowed a flash of irritation at
Lucien's none too subtle hint about marriage. Her irritation was
immediately followed by a surge of guilt. Lucien's face had
positively beamed in response to her lies. "Don't get your hopes
up, Lucien. Let's be honest. I would not be considered a suitable
match for someone from the ton."

"Lucy, you're a highly desirable woman! Any
man, regardless of his station, would be a fool not to consider you
suitable."

"Desirable!" Lucy snorted. "You're only
saying that because we look alike, you peacock!"Lucien laughed.
"Well," he conceded, "Maybe that's true." Lucien puffed out his
chest and posed in the best primp he could manage from bed.

It was Lucy’s turn to laugh. "It's so good to
see you laugh again! You know, after the accident, I thought I'd
lost you! I couldn't have borne for something to happen to you,
especially after Papa .... " Lucy's couldn't speak. Her voice
trailed off and she looked away, her vision blurring.

Lucien reached over and cupped Lucy's chin in
his hand. Turning her face toward him, Lucien forced Lucy to look
into his eyes. The image of Lucien's face swam through her
tears.

"I know it's been dreadfully difficult for
you, Lucy. I'm on the mend now, so don't worry. I only wish I were
in shape to compete in the Oaks. Damn! I know I could win. The
purse would be handy right now."

Should she tell him about the race? No, he'd
forbid it. Should she broach the issue of the blackmail being
perpetrated on them by Perdan or the fact she had already committed
them to the contract with Chalifour?

Looking into Lucien's happy face, Lucy
decided against enlightening him. His strength and humor were only
just beginning to return. She didn't want to risk any setbacks. A
few more days couldn't possibly make much difference. Besides, she
fervently hoped to have good news for him after the race.
Maybe
she'd even wager on herself, or Lucien as far as everyone else
knew
. Lucy smiled at the thought.

"What are you smiling about?" Lucien
asked.

"You!" Standing, Lucy said, "I need to pack
for my trip. We'll speak later."

To ensure the ruse worked, Lucy needed to
pack for a trip to Monique's house. She and Monique had worked this
out when they discussed her plan during her recent stay at
Glenhurst Hall in Town. Monique had been dubious about the prospect
of her success and tried to dissuade Lucy from pursuing her "wild
scheme" as she called it, but Lucy had been adamant. Monique would
be expecting her at the residence after the race.

Lucy had no doubt Lucien would learn of "his"
race performance at some point in time. However, she was certain he
would forgive her the impersonation if the ruse relieved them of
Perdan's threats. Win or lose, Lucy would at least make good on one
thing she told Lucien. She would return to Town to visit Monique.
If she won the race, Lucy could put an end to the extortion from
Perdan.

Retiring to her room, she selected the gowns
and clothing she might need. As for the single most important
articles of clothing, Lucien's Riding Silks, obtaining them from
his room had been no small feat. The day before, she had slipped
into his room during a time when he slept and she was sure Alistair
was busy downstairs.

Stealthily, she had rifled through Lucien’s
clothes until she found the riding outfit with the colors
registered to the Goodwin family. She had exited his room, muscles
taut with fear of discovery, the clothing tucked under her arm.
Heaven only knew what she could have told anyone had she been
caught!

Pausing in her task of selecting the clothes
for her visit, Lucy's thoughts turned to Monique. Lucy desperately
wished she could tell her friend everything, but she wasn't sure
how Monique would react to the allegations of cheating. She wanted
to believe Monique would dismiss Perdan's contentions, but she
couldn't be sure. Best to let Monique go on believing her business
with Perdan was a simple debt rather than blackmail based on
accusations of cheating.

If she could win this race, Lucy was certain
she could work out an arrangement with Perdan. She would be able to
pay Perdan a large sum of money he couldn't refuse. Lucy would have
Perdan sign some sort of affidavit or retraction. Then Monique, nor
anyone else for that matter, would ever know. The threat would be
over and she and Lucien could return to their normal lives.

Contemplating the race, which would occur in
only two days time, Lucy would have been more confident if she had
been able to practice riding astride. Unfortunately, she had not
been able to devise a way to do practice without getting caught.
Even though she and Lucien lived fairly close to Epsom Downs, Lucy
would spend a great deal of time tomorrow walking Heather Mist to
Epsom so she would be fresh for the race the following day.

Lucy had already made preparations for her
luggage to be transported to the Fox and Hound Inn in Epsom. She
and Heather Mist would spend tomorrow evening at the inn, resting.
On her return trip from Town, Lucy had the foresight to detour to
Epsom and make arrangements for accommodations at the inn. Knowing
Epsom would be crowded and hectic during the race, Lucy could not
take the chance she would arrive in Epsom and have no room for her
or stable for Heather Mist. She and Heather Mist would set out for
Epsom early tomorrow.

Would Lucien realize she had taken Heather
Mist? So far he had not inquired about the horses, but then again,
Lucien knew she was more than capable of managing the business. Now
that she was leaving and he was growing stronger, Lucien might very
well begin to try to take matters into his own hands, even if those
hands were trapped upstairs in his bedroom. Lucy would have to
invent an excuse why she had taken Heather Mist if Lucien inquired.
Lucy couldn't worry about now.

The day of the race arrived. Lucy had spent a
great deal of time observing how men mounted their horses. However
mounting astride was much more difficult in actual practice than it
appeared. After three unsuccessful attempts, she had only managed
to attract unwanted attention from the stable boys. On the fourth
try, her leg flew over Heather Mist's back.
Good! Finally,
success!

Lucy sat up straight in the saddle and
gasped. Good heavens the feeling was far more intimate than she had
ever imagined! Every movement of the horse's muscles rippled
through the thin cloth of Lucien’s breeches.

Lucy shivered. The sensations were a keen
reminder of her time with Chalifour only a few nights ago. She
pushed the thought away. Now was not the time to think of that. Now
was the time she needed to be focused. If only she could have
practiced riding astride! Lucy found herself completely distracted
now, awash with feelings of sensuality. This was not good.

Lucy arrived at the racecourse riding Heather
Mist. She was startled by the cheers which periodically rose from
the throngs of people milling about. The races weren't the only
events the crowds flocked to see. Cock fighting and all forms of
games and wagering swirled around her. Vendors hawked their wares.
Children laughed and screamed, their mothers following and scolding
them. Men, exuberant in the carnival atmosphere, bragged and
strutted, raising their voices to be heard above the din.

A barrage of boisterous laughter filled
Lucy’s ears so she wanted to cover them. She had attended many such
events as a spectator, but never as a participant. The entire
experience was unnerving. How did Lucien do it? A kaleidoscope of
sounds and color surrounded her. The aroma of sausages and fowl
cooking permeated the air around her, causing her nervous stomach
to roil.

Heather Mist pawed the ground again. The
horse wasn’t accustomed to this much bedlam. Lucy patted her horse,
reassuring her. She leaned down and whispered into her ear, "I
know, sweet girl. It’ll be over soon, and then you’ll be the toast
of the Town!"

Lucy squirmed in her saddle. She had always
admired Lucien's Racing Silks in the green and yellow colors the
Goodwin family had registered with the Jockey Club. She loved the
distinctive striped pattern of the riding jacket she wore paired
with the cream breeches worn by all of the riders. Dressing in the
wee hours of the morning, however, it had dawned on her how very
revealing men’s clothes really were. Every curve of her body was
exposed instead of being hidden by her usual gowns and petticoats.
The image of Chalifour's muscular thighs in similar breeches popped
unbidden into her mind. She quickly squelched the thought.

Lucy touched the cap on her head and
reassured herself it still sat tight. Fighting her thick hair this
morning, Lucy had sorely missed Millie and her deft hand. Lucy had
struggled to pin and secure her hair under her cap. After some
rather unladylike words, she finally managed to succeed in stuffing
her hair into her cap. Now Lucy prayed her auburn mane would stay
tightly tucked away during the race, or it could be a disaster for
her.

The onslaught of sights and sounds continued
to grate on Lucy. Lucy sat astride Heather Mist and waited for the
race to begin, endeavoring to compose herself. What had she been
thinking?
Could she do this?
Lucy took a deep breath and
petted Heather Mist again, calming the horse as well as herself.
She was racing against some preeminent jockeys, William Clift, Ben
Smith, and Dennis Fitzpatrick.
Could she possibly beat them?
Doubts began to worm their way into her mind.